Ultimate Fishing Experience

Let’s go - full noise! Tides and wind are right, so you won’t be wasting a minute of it. The Tropical Coast is a fishing mecca. Reef, estuaries, inshore, or simply off the rocks or a jetty, you just have to fish this region.

Top tip: The Hinchinbrook Channel is one of the few places in Australia where the Permit (Snub Nosed Dart), one of the world’s premier fly/light tackle game fish can be targeted with some level of anticipation.

It’s the anticipation of the next big catch as you admire the scenery from a tinnie, the scream of the reel as your lure is snatched and the sheer joy of hauling in afish worth bragging about that makes The Tropical Coast a stand out region for fishing.

This is the place where you can chase any number of species, the Barramundi tops many angler’s wish list and the chance of snaring one in the Tropical Coast region is high. Flicking a lure near a tangle of mangroves and hearing the snap of a Barramundi locking-on is an adrenalin rush. They’re an exciting fighting fish, and with most catches around 55-70cm, they look impressive in the brag photos too! It’s true that trophy fish of more than a metre are not just a fishy tale, they are hauled in regularly around the Hinchinbrook area.

There are plenty of other species to chase when the Barramundi season is closed between November and February. Try trolling for Mackerel, Tuna or Giant Trevally out at the reef or line fish the bottom for Coral Trout, Nannygai or Red Emperor. Spear fishing also is popular with Coral Trout and Painted Crayfish the prized catches.

Mangrove jack, fingermark and threadfin salmon can be caught in the mangrove creeks or head to the freshwater reaches for sooty grunter and jungle perch.

In all weather conditions, Hinchinbrook is considered one of the best fishing and safest boating areas on the east coast of Australia. Year round, there’s a choice of calm water options for light tackle and fly fishing on estuarine waterways, mangrove-lined rivers, shallow channel flats and the upper freshwater reaches of the creeks. Local clubs in the region have been restocking for some years, ensuring there is plentiful supply for the recreational angler.

fishing charters are available from across The Tropical Coast, and they all have their specialities including reef and estuarine fishing, as well as big game species such as the mighty black marlin. From Lucinda to Cardwell, Mission Beach, Innisfail, Bramston and Deeral you’ll find charter guides who are as keen as you to get on the tropical waters and put a line in.

With your own boat, or a hired tinnie, you’ll find numerous boat ramps along the coast and adjacent inlets and creeks, plus the option of beach launching in many areas.

Without a boat, you still have plenty of options. Fishing off the beach may yield a feed of flathead or whiting, while in the season you might just snatch a jumping cod at Bramston Beach. With many creeks, headlands, jettys and other structures, land based options are plentiful. Try putting a pot in for mud crab, which are in good supply following rains among the many mangrove and estuarine areas.

The Tropical Coast hosts fishing events all over the region which attract anglers from across the country. Many offer big cash prizes as well. Cardwell is where you can set out for the annual Barra Bonanza where anglers chase the big ones. Kurrimine Beach Fishing Club, the largest in North Queensland, hosts an annual creek and outer reef fishing competition. lucinda hosts the Hinchinbrook Classic.

There are many active clubs around the region to make contact with including Balgal Beach Boating and Leisure Club, Ingham Rod and Reel Club, Cardwell Sport fishing Club, mission Beach Game Fishing Club, and the Innisfail Game Fishing Club and others such as the Bramston Beach Amateur Fishing Club.